Patient's question:
My son was born via cesarean section one month after his wife's expected delivery date. He is quite large, but his health is not very good. The doctor said that if a baby is born after the due date, being larger might be better. Could you please tell me what diseases are common in post-term infants?Doctor's answer:
The main clinical problems of postterm infants are placental insufficiency syndrome caused by postterm pregnancy, placental degeneration, multiple infarctions, and villous degeneration. Due to placental insufficiency, postterm infants may experience asphyxia during delivery. Meconium aspiration syndrome is particularly severe in postterm infants. Because the amniotic fluid volume decreases, the aspirated meconium is not diluted. Insufficient glycogen storage at birth leads to neonatal hypoglycemia.